John Thomas Parks, 88, passed away on Friday, September 2, 2016. Tom was born in Salisbury, MD - though he'd rarely admit that - on September 13, 1927. He grew up in Onancock, VA and was forever in his heart a resident of the Eastern Shore. He is preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Cordelia Guy Parks. He moved to Hampton with his mother and father before high school, and although he was exceedingly unhappy about that move, he became fiercely proud of Hampton. He viewed being a Virginian one of the greatest honors with which one could be blessed. Following stints in the Army and Merchant Marine, he spent 37 working at C&P Telephone / Bell Atlantic. Tom was an active member of the Hampton Christian Church for well over 60 years and held many positions of leadership.

Tom is survived by his daughters and their husbands, Cynthia and Rob Campbell of New Bern, NC and Victoria Parks and Gordon Shock of Cincinnati, OH. He also leaves behind three grandsons, James Campbell and his wife Lauren, Jonathan Campbell and Jackson Shock.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 am, Friday, September 9, 2016 at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home with interment to follow in Parklawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 10-11 am at the funeral home.

The family requests that memorial contributions be sent to Hampton Christian Church, 151 E. Mercury Blvd, Hampton, VA 23669.